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“You gave me a crown you want to use as a knife.” I stepped back from the gate. “I’m not wearing it.”

Adrian struck the ward with one palm.

Silver light flashed over the bars. The garden vines rose, but the seal held and threw the black light back at him. He moved out of reach before the thorns arrived.

“The barrier won’t fucking hold forever,” he said. “When it breaks, Stellan won’t be the only hungry vampire inside.”

He turned and disappeared into the dark passage beyond the gate.

I waited until his footsteps had faded. The roses stayed aimed at the empty arch.

I wanted the exit he’d described. Wanting it didn’t make his offer safe. I could picture my flat clearly enough to ache for it, but the Crown would follow me into every room if it couldn’t be removed. Stellan would remain here with Adrian, and I already knew what Adrian planned to take from him.

Refusing hadn’t been difficult. Accepting that there was still no easy way home was worse.

“Was any part of that offer true?” I asked.

“The Crown could open the upper doors,” Stellan said. “It would also give Adrian the command he needs. He can’t promise you’d remove it afterwards because no crowned heir has ever taken it off while her king remained alive.”

I looked at him. “That would have been useful information earlier.”

“You hadn’t asked whether the Crown came off.” His mouth tightened when he heard his own answer. “And I promised direct answers. That one needed to be given without waiting for the perfect question.”

“Yes, it did.”

“I’m sorry.”

The apology arrived without an excuse. I let it settle rather than making him work for a quick reply.

“When you remember something important, start with the honest answer,” I said. “Don’t hide it inside an omission.”

“I’ll do it.”

We walked back towards the spring. The silver path stayed open under our joined hands. Stellan’s chain followed with a low scrape, and the constant pull eased once the gate was out of sight.

He didn’t congratulate me for refusing or turn it into a test I’d passed. He kept pace beside me and let the garden close between Adrian and us. That quiet trust helped more than praise would have.

“How far away is he?” I asked.

Stellan tilted his head. “He’s stopped beyond the second turn. He has two guards with him now. One has armour that catches against the wall when he moves. Adrian is waiting to see whether you come back.”

I glanced over my shoulder. The passage beyond the gate looked empty. “You can hear all that from here?”

“He isn’t being quiet.”

I listened again. “I still can’t hear anything apart from your chain and the water.”

Amusement warmed Stellan’s face. “Would you like to?”

We reached the sheltered pool. Steam softened the air, and the roses closed behind us until the outer gate disappeared.

“You said I could experience some of your senses,” I said. “Show me.”

His gaze moved over my face. “It’ll be intense for a few seconds. Stay close, and don’t try to follow every sound at once.”

“That sounded suspiciously like sensible advice.”

“I’ve been saving it for the right woman.”